By Heather Tanana, Cora Tso, & Crystal Tulley-Cordova.
This article examines the paradox facing tribal communities in the Colorado River Basin who, despite holding some of the most senior water rights, continue to face significant barriers to accessing their rightful allocations. Through analysis of the Winters doctrine, settlement processes, and persistent infrastructure challenges, the authors reveal how colonial structures perpetuate water insecurity while highlighting innovative cross-jurisdictional partnerships that offer promising pathways toward tribal water security. The analysis contributes vital perspectives on tribal sovereignty and environmental justice as the Basin faces unprecedented water scarcity, advocating for a fundamental reconceptualization of water governance that honors both legal commitments and Indigenous relationships with water.